Bill Nye Wants You to Binge on Science And Bow Ties…

Two scientists with television shows? 2016 should be exhibit A of parallel universes. Turn on CNN or any cable news and then you have this news. Granted Cosmos with Neil deGrasse Tyson is in Fox’s sci-fi purgatory, but there’s hope for it according to Tyson. But the news of the day is Bill Nye is making his return to television with a Netflix show to debut in 2017.

Bill Nye Saves the World will be episodic, tackling a scientific topic each episode from a factual point of view. AKA, reality. His bow tie will dispel the anti-scientific rhetoric from politicians, religious leaders, and business leaders. Is Netflix sure there is enough streaming bandwidth to hit all those points? If social media is a gauge of people listening to rational arguments, poor Bill is in for an uphill battle.

The show marks his return to a regular show in almost two decades. You’d have to go back to 1998 to find an episode of Bill Nye the Science Guy.

“Since the start of the Science Guy show, I’ve been on a mission to change the world by getting people everywhere excited about the fundamental ideas in science,” Nye said. “Today, I’m excited to be working with Netflix on a new show, where we’ll discuss the complex scientific issues facing us today, with episodes on vaccinations, genetically modified foods, and climate change. With the right science and good writing, we’ll do our best to enlighten and entertain our audience. And, perhaps we’ll change the world a little.”

Brother, I want to be optimistic, but have you turned on the television? It’s worthy of debate if we are in fact in The Matrix, and someone is having fun at our expense.

Each episode of the Netflix series will feature special guests and conduct experiments on how science impacts politics, pop culture and society. He promises to let the facts state their case. Please don’t have a running Twitter reaction chyron. I beg you.

Netflix is partnering with Bunim/Murray Productions to produce the series, with Julie Pizzi and Gil Goldschein as executive producers. Michael Naidus is tapped as the showrunner, with Mike Drucker as the head writer. Leading the team of science writers is award-winning science communicator Phil Plait.

Bill Nye Saves the World is the second talk show to join Netflix, with Chelsea getting picked up for a second season. The streaming giant has been nonstop with its original programming, but the talk side of the slate is an exposed flank it is moving to protect. Having Bill Nye call out politicians and special interest groups is something I can get behind. Plus, while I love binging on Netflix original content, learning something new never hurts.

Stranger Things Season 2 and Bill Nye in one day? Can I hope for Marco Polo Season 3? Come on Netflix. Hook us up with 100 Eyes.